Weak Pro Bowl Voting

[Footman DCXLV]

NFL's website has released an article showing the players getting the most Pro Bowl votes for each position. Forsett is #9 on the list for running backs, Dumervil is #6 for outside linebackers, Yanda is #6 for guards, and Justin Tucker, Steve Smith, Kelechi Osemele, Rick Wagner, Daryl Smith, and Terrell Suggs are not listed for any of their positions.

 

On the positive side, C.J. Mosley is third for ILB's and Sam Koch is leading the vote for punters. But, I don't think that makes up for some obvious lapses in the public perception. Forsett has been top-5 in yards for much of the year and leads the league in yards per carry. He's 9th. Dumervil leads the league in sacks. He's 6th. Yanda gets a surprising amount of support on national sports shows for being an elite lineman and I've seen stats on this forum grading him as one of the best players in the entire league. But, he's only #6 for all the guards in the NFL. Daryl Smith is 10th in the league in tackles (making Baltimore the only team with two players in the top 10, while nobody else has two in the top 15) and isn't represented in the top 10.

 

We've all gotten accustomed to a lack of national respect, and we know Pro Bowl recognition doesn't always represent who are really the best players. But, with voting ending Monday, this seemed worse than normal to me. Forsett not making the Pro Bowl will be one of the biggest snubs for a skill position in a long time.

 

Here's the article, which is now two days old:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000441937/article/2015-pro-bowl-current-voting-leaders-offense

[redrum52]

We should vote Elam to the pro bowl. It might boost his confidence and in turn boost his ability.

[RaineV1]

For some odd reason they have Upshaw listed as a DE.

[The Mom Gene]

I just think the voting is down period...  I think the pro bowl has lost some of its luster...

[Footman DCXLV]

I just think the voting is down period...  I think the pro bowl has lost some of its luster...

 

I'd second that. I'm not really in favor of the new conference-free system. It technically means the best at each position would get in, regardless of who they play for, but I think it's just a sign that nobody cares about the Pro Bowl. I don't think they ever will, but I do think it's important to keep the game. Maybe eliminating the current Hall of Fame game and playing the Pro Bowl as the first game of the year would increase interest. We're all dying for football by that time, and it would sort of recap all the great players of the previous year. You'd have players who don't want to risk getting hurt, but that already happens.

[The Mom Gene]

I'd second that. I'm not really in favor of the new conference-free system. It technically means the best at each position would get in, regardless of who they play for, but I think it's just a sign that nobody cares about the Pro Bowl. I don't think they ever will, but I do think it's important to keep the game. Maybe eliminating the current Hall of Fame game and playing the Pro Bowl as the first game of the year would increase interest. We're all dying for football by that time, and it would sort of recap all the great players of the previous year. You'd have players who don't want to risk getting hurt, but that already happens.

Yup...

[NebraskaRavensFan44]

Maybe rankings will change for Forsett and others, when the players and coaches have their vote. 

[Footman DCXLV]

Maybe rankings will change for Forsett and others, when the players and coaches have their vote. 

 

I didn't think about that. This is only one-third of the votes that count, with players and coaches each accounting for another third. If those aren't added until the end, that could drastically change what we see here.

[BSHU_Miami]

Nobody cares what's why. They should just list the all pro teams and be done with it.

[JoeyFlex5]

tucker not even listed? obviously something is wrong, without question the best kicker in the league

[codizzle]

Honestly haven't voted in years.. Don't care about it at all

[Footman DCXLV]

tucker not even listed? obviously something is wrong, without question the best kicker in the league

 

That was my initial reaction, but he's only attempted the 9th most field goals (he's 8th in percentage for the year), and they listed the top 5. So, even if he's the best kicker around, it's not a huge shock he didn't get immediate recognition.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

I just think the voting is down period...  I think the pro bowl has lost some of its luster...

Agreed. That new format is just not happening with fans.

[BmoreBird22]

For some odd reason they have Upshaw listed as a DE.

he's a fit for DE in the 4-3. I think he could play the SAM, but he can also play DE

[hn68wb4]

At this point in the process its a popularity contest. Plus as much as we all love Smith Sr. he is not having a pro bowl season, its a good comeback season but there's no way he is beating out some of the young guys out there who are putting up better numbers across the board, he has been huge for our offense but in the large scope its not a pro bowl caliber season. Osemele and Wagner aren't big names (yet) they'll probably get in even though they aren't winning the popularity contest. Tucker is Tucker, another guy that we all know how good he is but fans vote for their teams kicker and our fan base isn't as large as a lot of other teams, he's another guy that may get in via the coaches and players poll. Forsett will be in, guaranteed, his season can't be ignored especially considering he's doing what he's doing having not started the first couple games, had he started those first couple then he'd have even bigger numbers.

[TDubbs]

The Pro Bowl is awful, plain and simple. The players barely want to go, and only go because its a nice vacation to Hawaii and a nice pay check. Otherwise all it is, is a chance to get injured right before offseason begins. After that, its just a popularity contest for teams with larger fan bases. So who cares if any of our players make it? It means absolutely nothing. 

[Militant X 1]

I just think the voting is down period...  I think the pro bowl has lost some of its luster...

 

I not interested in the pro bowl like I use to be back in the day.

[PurpleCity5]

My O' My! RANT! 

 

-First of all, QB's. Brian Hoyer AT #10?! WHERE IS JOE?! Russell Wilson is a good QB but I wouldn't put him over Joe right now, he doesn't make guys around him better. EXP: Golden Tate blowing up in Detriot. 

 

-Forsett....NINTH! LMAO That's all I got to say to that! 

 

-Even to take away some bias I'm surprised Coby Fleener got no love.

 

-I loooooovvveeee Yanda but the guys ahead of him are great as well, so there's nothing to get angry at but at the same time Marshal Yanda is one of the highest ranking players in the league, offense or defense. 

 

-(Happy to see Juice get some recognition! ) 

 

-And where's Rick Wagner? GOSH! 

 

Honestly, even as a NFL Fan, Martellus Bennet should even be third IMO, he's closing in one 1000 yards for the season.  As far as WR's go about time Jordy get's in, I'd put T.Y Hilton over Dez Bryant, and Julio Jones NINTH?! You got to be kidding me....

[hn68wb4]

Why fans even get a say in the voting is beyond me, fans will vote for their team whether or not they deserve it, 99% will vote from players from their team from each position + a couple big names regardless of their season

[Alaska Alaska!]

Honestly, I don't even want our players playing in the pro-bowl.  I just want them to be injury free

[arnie_uk]

Why fans even get a say in the voting is beyond me, fans will vote for their team whether or not they deserve it, 99% will vote from players from their team from each position + a couple big names regardless of their season

get them involved in hope more watch the game.

[HoldingCall]

I just think the voting is down period...  I think the pro bowl has lost some of its luster...

Yeah! Brian Hoyer has been benched yet he is on the list of top QB's. In fact I notice Cleveland has someone listed in most categories and listed twice in one.

[K-Dog]

The only way I would be interested in the pro bowl is if I was there.

[KBoum]

So what ? Can't play the Pro Bowl when you play the Super Bowl anyway

[busterblue52]

Does anyone here like the pro bowl?? It's like the one time I don't enjoy watching football.

[ratedr]

Good thing the fan vote is only 1/3rd of the voting, fans are morons if the voting is any indication.

[ratedr]

Yeah! Brian Hoyer has been benched yet he is on the list of top QB's. In fact I notice Cleveland has someone listed in most categories and listed twice in one.

Billy Cundiff is the 4th highest kicker...that tells you all you need to know about Pro Bowl voting.

[Tiz]

Billy Cundiff is the 4th highest kicker...that tells you all you need to know about Pro Bowl voting.

That it hasn't changed.

Plenty of Ravens fans blindly vote for every raven at every position simply because they're ravens. So why be upset that fans on other teams "successfully" do the same.

Ultimately there are 2/3s of votes that cancel out a lot of fan voting and in addition to that players voted in often drop out and alternatives get pro bowl credit anyway.

[I AM LEGEND]

NFL would be good doing a skills competition

40 yd race

QB accuracy and long ball competition

Some sort of bench press challenge

Obstacle course

Throw in a retired players flag football game

Then I'd watch.

But yea...basically..I haven't watched the Pro Bowl in like 10 years.

[Moderator 3]

Billy Cundiff is the 4th highest kicker...that tells you all you need to know about Pro Bowl voting.

And he's been cut, again.